Addition at tackle raises questions about health of Titans veteran

This one has the potential to fall under the heading of ‘actions speak louder than words.’

Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak said Monday that he did not expect right tackle David Stewart miss much time as a result of a hamstring injury sustained in Saturday’s preseason victory over Minnesota.

Not long before that, though, veteran Adam Terry was signed and joined the team in the middle of the workout, which Stewart watched in shorts and a T-shirt.

“I think we are going to be careful with him, and I’m sure we will probably keep him out this week and it’s something that we feel probably next week he will be fine,” Munchak said.

Stewart has been the starting right tackle for the past five seasons and has missed just three games during that time.

Terry, at 6-foot-8, 335 pounds, is big enough to fill any hole on a roster. He also has more than a modicum of experience, with 50 career appearances for three teams, Baltimore, San Diego and Jacksonville. He was a second-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2005, the same year the Titans took Stewart in the fourth round.

“I got a free plane ride and I’m just here to compete,” Terry said. “… I don’t know what I’m doing yet but I’m willing to learn and play football.”

He also made it clear he is willing to take advantage of the opportunity – however long it might last – to study under Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, the Titans’ offensive line coach. Munchak, of course, is a Hall of Fame lineman in his own right.

“It’s great. It’s fantastic,” Terry said. “The head coach is an O-lineman and your position coach are a couple of the best right there. They know what it’s like to be a player and now they’re coaching us up.

“It’s a blast. I haven’t even been to a meeting yet, I just shook [Matthews’] hand. I haven’t even met the head coach yet.”

The Titans had 88 players on the active roster, two below the limit. Thus no one was released to make room for Terry.

• Experience counts: Among the things Robert Johnson learned as a rookie in 2010 was the feeling of a hamstring injury. That bit of knowledge proved valuable early in this training camp when the feeling returned.

“It was good that I knew when to pull up,” he said. “Right when it happened I stopped and thought, ‘I have to shut this down.’ Last year I was trying my hardest just to make the team and I was pushing and pushing and pushing and made it worse.”

Johnson, a fifth-round pick last year out of Utah, returned to workouts after having missed roughly two full weeks and hoped to pick up where he left off.

“The first two days of training camp I was there doing well,” Johnson said. “I was the first DB to get an interception but it just wound up that I messed up my hamstring a little bit.

“It felt good to be back out there.”

• Coming and going: Wide receiver Kenny Britt took part in the entire workout. He was limited through the first two weeks of camp and held out of the game with Minnesota with a hamstring issue.

“The plan is to get him more into the offense; doing more things to slowly get him into more periods to see how he reacts everyday,” Munchak said. “We’ll see how the hamstring feels a day after doing a little more work. He has to get confidence in it so he can really unleash and go full speed.”

Running back Javon Ringer sat out the workout due to a hip injury sustained against the Vikings. Munchak said the third-year running back could be back on the field on Tuesday.

“We don’t think it’s something that will keep him out of there, but if it is for some reason then we will just be smart how we use him,” Munchak said.

Defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks (shoulder) remains the only player who has yet to complete a full practice.

• Junior cheeleaders: Next Monday (Aug. 22) is the deadline to submit applications for the Junior Titans Cheerleading and Junior Titans Mascot programs.

Participation includes clinics (three for junior cheerleaders, one for junior mascots) and a halftime appearance during the Sept. 25 game against Denver at LP Field.

More information and registration forms available at titansonline.com.